Thomas "Tom" Wayne Massey

August 12, 1934 - June 15, 2017

Thomas “Tom” Wayne Massey, age 82, resident of Woods Circle in Columbia, ended years of suffering on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at his residence.

A memorial service will be held on Monday at 2PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Lyndall Probst officiating. An inurnment will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the United States Army. A visitation will also be held on Monday from 11AM-2PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on August 12, 1934 in Mt. Pleasant, Thomas was fondly referred to as “Boone” by his grandchildren and great grandchildren and was the son of the late William Edward Massey and the late Lorena House Massey Hann. He served in the Army and was a veteran of Vietnam earning the Bronze Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal w/ Ger Clasp, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ Device 60. He served in Mexico, Iran (twice), Thailand, Hungary, and Africa. Tom also worked for GTE/Sylvania teaching the Imperial Iranian Air Force and later retired from the U.S. Department of State. Thomas was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed bowling and playing darts.

He is survived by his son, Dwayne (Rebecca) Massey of Columbia; daughter, Cheryl Massey Cappula of Columbia; brother, Donald W. (Shoko) Massey; sisters: Janice Marie (Jimmy) Allen, Alice Fay Crews; grandchildren: Jonathan Wyatt (Kim) Sweeney, Michelle Leigh (Dave) Sweeney Jetton, Mason Thomas (Lindsey) Massey, Tyler Wayne Massey; great grandchildren: Alyvia Sweeney, Austyn Sweeney, Parker Jetton, Logan Jetton, and Ryleigh Jetton; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Nora Compton Massey; and brothers: Larry, Jimmy, and William Massey.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the 3rd floor staff at Maury Regional Medical Center for their care and compassion during this difficult time.